EDGE Kamran James returning to Florida for senior year

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Florida senior edge defender Kamran James signed a new NIL deal with Florida Victorious on Sunday, signaling his return to the program.

James led the Gators with 3.5 sacks this season and 4.5 tackles for a loss, while also recording 44 tackles (23 solo), two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. The former four-star recruit played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2023, primarily in a special teams role. He became a regular on defense for Florida as a sophomore, starting four games and playing in all 13.

Despite being removed from the starting lineup midway through the season, James opted to stay with Florida last offseason instead of entering the transfer portal.

“I could have hit the portal. You can’t do that, you got to stay down and grind,” James said. “Just the same way as Sapp was an older player, and I started over him, he could have easily — ‘Okay, I’m not going to do this. I’m not going for this.’ But he didn’t do that. He stayed down. I feel like both of us, having started so many games, just raised competitiveness in the room as a whole.” 

That mindset made his 2026 return likely, assuming he didn’t declare for the NFL draft, and now it’s official. With standout freshman Jayden Woods moving on from the program, James is an expected starter at EDGE alongside LJ McCray, should he also return. Kofi Asare should also get playing time at the position after appearing in 11 games with 16 tackles (8 solo) and one sack.

Florida players who have re-signed with the Gators

While Florida has lost more than two dozen players to the transfer portal, a number of important names have publicly announced they are re-signing with the Gators.

Wide receivers TJ Abrams, Vernell Brown III, offensive lineman Roderick Kearney, defensive linemen Joseph Mbatchou and Jeramiah McCloud, linebackers Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham and defensive backs Lagonza Hayward and Dijon Johnson have also announced new deals with Florida Victorious.

Tight end Amir Jackson also reversed his decision to enter the transfer portal.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators EDGE Kamran James re-signs with Florida

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